UEFA Group B: Tottenham 3 Club Brugge 1 - Berbatov brace seals win
Dimitar Berbatov's brace helped Tottenham maintain their 100% record in the UEFA Cup this season after they went a goal behind to Club Bruges to hit back and win 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
Salou Ibrahim had given the Belgians a 14th-minute lead in the Group B clash with a spectacular strike, but Berbatov levelled almost immediately with a cool volley.
Aaron Lennon had been deployed on the left and created plenty of chances for himself but, like against Watford at the weekend, failed to produce the finishing touch.
It was left to Bulgaria striker Berbatov to unlock the visitors, sending through Robbie Keane for Spurs' second before heading in a third.
It took his tally to the season to four goals - three have come in the UEFA Cup - and he received a rapturous ovation when substituted 11 minutes from full-time.
It also meant Spurs have maximum points at the halfway stage of the group stage, with the knockout round within sight and a trip to Bayer Leverkusen next up.
The Belgians, who included former Spurs midfielder Jonathan Blondel in their starting line-up, came into the clash in fine domestic form - and they found their stride quickly.
After Bosko Balaban - the striker who flopped at Aston Villa - had held up play, he found Gaetan Englebert on the edge of the area after four minutes.
The midfielder's shot was deflected off Michael Dawson, with England goalkeeper Paul Robinson reacting well to make a save at his near post.
Spurs had a penalty appeal for handball against Birgir Maertens turned down, and Jermaine Jenas provided their first effort on goal in the seventh minute - but his effort from the edge of the area drifted wide.
Lennon hugged the left touchline and it was from there that Spurs threatened next, although Keane's cross resulted in no more than a penalty-box scramble which was cleared.
Just as Spurs thought they were establishing a foothold, the visitors were ahead in spectacular fashion in the 14th minute.
Englebert fed Ibrahim on the edge of the area and the Ghana striker turned and found the corner of the net over Robinson's dive.
The fine strike was the first goal Spurs had conceded in this season's competition.
But the hosts were level within three minutes, after Lennon had forced a handball from Sven Vermant 40 yards from goal.
Jenas' free-kick was headed up by Pascal Chimbonda and Berbatov steered his volley into the bottom corner.
Clive Allen's goals had proved the difference when the two teams played in the 1985 campaign and the Spurs legend, now reserves boss at the club, would have approved of the finish.
The hosts appeared to grow in confidence after they levelled, and they had another weak penalty turned down when Maertens appeared to handle in the area.
Hossam Ghaly then curled a shot over after Lennon had committed goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen. Keane had played the winger through, he danced around Stijnen before Berbatov prodded the ball to Ghaly, but his finish was inaccurate.
Jenas had an effort from the edge of the area saved easily as Spurs pushed forward, with Stijnen then denying Berbatov with a save at the near post.
Neither side made changes at the break, with Spurs continuing to press after the restart.
Keane was the sent through two minutes in the second half but Stijnen saved at his near post with the striker bearing down on goal.
Lennon had an effort from a similar position, but Maertens blocked to deny Spurs again, while the England winger also saw a curled effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo earned the first booking of the night for a trip on Berbatov.
And it was Berbatov who set up Spurs goal as they took the lead in the 63rd minute, the Bulgaria striker hooking the ball over the Bruges defence before Keane raced through and scored with a precise drilled finish.
Berbatov established a two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Ghaly's cross from the right was headed in by the striker, capping fine performance when he was often seen back in midfield retrieving the ball.
With 11 minutes left, Lennon was taken off for Danny Murphy, while Berbatov left to a standing ovation when Mido replaced him.
There was even time for substitute Jason Vandelannoite to almost score an own goal as Spurs held on to their lead comfortably.
Tottenham boss Martin Jol hailed the performance of Dimitar Berbatov after he struck twice against Club Bruges in the UEFA Cup.
'He was good against Besiktas and today he was better than good,' said Jol.
Of Berbatov's first goal, Jol added: 'It was a striker's goal.'
Jol, however, was not entirely happy with his side's performance when they fell behind.
'I wasn't that impressed with their goal, that was disappointing, and we didn't play particularly well in the first half,' he said.
'It was not easy for find the forward players and the link between the midfield and forwards was not good.
'The second half was probably the best this season, flank play, the build-up was good and we could have had five or six goals.'
'There were some very good performances and they have to do that every game.'
Berbatov has impressed in patches since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but he has failed to transform his prolific Bundesliga form to the Premiership.
However, he was pleased with his side's performance against Bruges.
'We looked like a team and everyone fought for the club,' Berbatov said on ITV4. 'We were winners in the end and that is the most important thing. We showed team spirit and courage.'
Keane and Berbatov formed an impressive partnership, and the Republic of Ireland striker added: 'He was superb, he's been like that since he's come here and his goals speak for themselves.
'He holds the ball up well and brings other people into play - he showed that tonight.'
Bruges coach Emilio Ferrera thought Spurs' equaliser had come at a crucial time in the game as the visitors were looking to defend their lead.
'I thought that first half was good match for us, we knew beforehand it would be difficult,' he said.
'The goal from Spurs came very fast after ours and I thought in second half they were able to take control.
'But we should be happy with our first-half performance. We then lost a bit of concentration and players had difficulties.'
Salou Ibrahim had given the Belgians a 14th-minute lead in the Group B clash with a spectacular strike, but Berbatov levelled almost immediately with a cool volley.
Aaron Lennon had been deployed on the left and created plenty of chances for himself but, like against Watford at the weekend, failed to produce the finishing touch.
It was left to Bulgaria striker Berbatov to unlock the visitors, sending through Robbie Keane for Spurs' second before heading in a third.
It took his tally to the season to four goals - three have come in the UEFA Cup - and he received a rapturous ovation when substituted 11 minutes from full-time.
It also meant Spurs have maximum points at the halfway stage of the group stage, with the knockout round within sight and a trip to Bayer Leverkusen next up.
The Belgians, who included former Spurs midfielder Jonathan Blondel in their starting line-up, came into the clash in fine domestic form - and they found their stride quickly.
After Bosko Balaban - the striker who flopped at Aston Villa - had held up play, he found Gaetan Englebert on the edge of the area after four minutes.
The midfielder's shot was deflected off Michael Dawson, with England goalkeeper Paul Robinson reacting well to make a save at his near post.
Spurs had a penalty appeal for handball against Birgir Maertens turned down, and Jermaine Jenas provided their first effort on goal in the seventh minute - but his effort from the edge of the area drifted wide.
Lennon hugged the left touchline and it was from there that Spurs threatened next, although Keane's cross resulted in no more than a penalty-box scramble which was cleared.
Just as Spurs thought they were establishing a foothold, the visitors were ahead in spectacular fashion in the 14th minute.
Englebert fed Ibrahim on the edge of the area and the Ghana striker turned and found the corner of the net over Robinson's dive.
The fine strike was the first goal Spurs had conceded in this season's competition.
But the hosts were level within three minutes, after Lennon had forced a handball from Sven Vermant 40 yards from goal.
Jenas' free-kick was headed up by Pascal Chimbonda and Berbatov steered his volley into the bottom corner.
Clive Allen's goals had proved the difference when the two teams played in the 1985 campaign and the Spurs legend, now reserves boss at the club, would have approved of the finish.
The hosts appeared to grow in confidence after they levelled, and they had another weak penalty turned down when Maertens appeared to handle in the area.
Hossam Ghaly then curled a shot over after Lennon had committed goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen. Keane had played the winger through, he danced around Stijnen before Berbatov prodded the ball to Ghaly, but his finish was inaccurate.
Jenas had an effort from the edge of the area saved easily as Spurs pushed forward, with Stijnen then denying Berbatov with a save at the near post.
Neither side made changes at the break, with Spurs continuing to press after the restart.
Keane was the sent through two minutes in the second half but Stijnen saved at his near post with the striker bearing down on goal.
Lennon had an effort from a similar position, but Maertens blocked to deny Spurs again, while the England winger also saw a curled effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo earned the first booking of the night for a trip on Berbatov.
And it was Berbatov who set up Spurs goal as they took the lead in the 63rd minute, the Bulgaria striker hooking the ball over the Bruges defence before Keane raced through and scored with a precise drilled finish.
Berbatov established a two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Ghaly's cross from the right was headed in by the striker, capping fine performance when he was often seen back in midfield retrieving the ball.
With 11 minutes left, Lennon was taken off for Danny Murphy, while Berbatov left to a standing ovation when Mido replaced him.
There was even time for substitute Jason Vandelannoite to almost score an own goal as Spurs held on to their lead comfortably.
Tottenham boss Martin Jol hailed the performance of Dimitar Berbatov after he struck twice against Club Bruges in the UEFA Cup.
'He was good against Besiktas and today he was better than good,' said Jol.
Of Berbatov's first goal, Jol added: 'It was a striker's goal.'
Jol, however, was not entirely happy with his side's performance when they fell behind.
'I wasn't that impressed with their goal, that was disappointing, and we didn't play particularly well in the first half,' he said.
'It was not easy for find the forward players and the link between the midfield and forwards was not good.
'The second half was probably the best this season, flank play, the build-up was good and we could have had five or six goals.'
'There were some very good performances and they have to do that every game.'
Berbatov has impressed in patches since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but he has failed to transform his prolific Bundesliga form to the Premiership.
However, he was pleased with his side's performance against Bruges.
'We looked like a team and everyone fought for the club,' Berbatov said on ITV4. 'We were winners in the end and that is the most important thing. We showed team spirit and courage.'
Keane and Berbatov formed an impressive partnership, and the Republic of Ireland striker added: 'He was superb, he's been like that since he's come here and his goals speak for themselves.
'He holds the ball up well and brings other people into play - he showed that tonight.'
Bruges coach Emilio Ferrera thought Spurs' equaliser had come at a crucial time in the game as the visitors were looking to defend their lead.
'I thought that first half was good match for us, we knew beforehand it would be difficult,' he said.
'The goal from Spurs came very fast after ours and I thought in second half they were able to take control.
'But we should be happy with our first-half performance. We then lost a bit of concentration and players had difficulties.'
posted by dgarden at 8:56 am
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